Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (38 page)

“Well, I hope that I can at last fulfil my duty to my family.”  She lifted her chin and smiled.  “Mama will be so pleased!”

“Jane . . . Mr. Darcy said something that made me think.  He said that he sometimes wished that his father had remarried, and that it would have been good for him and Miss Darcy, and his father, even if he had not fallen in love with the woman.  She would have brought their broken family together again.  Maybe . . .maybe that is what you will do for Mr. Harwick and his baby girls.  You will save them from certain loneliness.  I know how deeply sad Mr. Darcy is from his losses, and his care for me has helped him.  I think that you will do the same for Mr. Harwick.”

Jane hugged Elizabeth and started to cry.  “Thank you.”  She whispered.  Elizabeth looked up to see Mrs. Gardiner wiping her eyes and nodding.  Elizabeth hugged Jane tight and prayed that she was correct.

“MADAME SINGLETON, WHAT MAY WE DO FOR YOU TODAY?”  The assistant to Madame Dupree asked immediately.

“Miss Bennet has an appointment with Madame.”  The girl looked at Elizabeth standing quietly by her side and remembered her from the week previous.  Speculation in the shop was that Mr. Darcy was dressing his mistress, but now she was visiting with his family member, which had entirely different connotations. 

“Ah
oui
, Madame, I will fetch her right away.”  She curtseyed and hurried to the back room, whispering the information to the modiste and seeing that her employer had the same opinion as she.  Madame Dupree swept into the room.

“Mademoiselle Bennet, you have returned to me so soon, I hope that your gown was received well?”

“Oh yes, Madame, it was admired by so many.  I . . . I will be requiring a few more items for the rest of the Season and I hope that you might be able to accommodate me?”

“
Mais bien sur
, Mademoiselle!”  Madame Dupree noticed that at the mention of Elizabeth’s name, the heads of several women examining fabrics were lifted and eyes were turned her way.  “Is there anything in particular that you require?”

Audrey also noticed the attention and spoke quickly.  “Why yes, Miss Bennet needs to augment the wardrobe she brought to town for the Season with one or two more gowns.  Imagine her surprise and delight to be asked for a courtship by my cousin, Mr. Darcy?  Naturally she wishes to look her absolute best for him.  It is quite an accomplishment to win his approval.”  She smiled warmly at Elizabeth and nodded.  “We are delighted with the match.” 

Elizabeth did not miss the gasps from around the room and saw Audrey looking at her meaningfully. She lifted her chin and smiled.  “I am delighted to be so warmly welcomed.  It would not do at all to look anything less than perfect when I have the honour of holding Mr. Darcy’s arm.  That is why when Lady Matlock recommended returning to you Madame, there was no question that I had to agree.” 

Madame Dupree preened.  “Lady Matlock is a woman of excellent taste, and a favourite customer.  Come, we will retire to a private room and discuss precisely what you need.”  Elizabeth and Audrey followed her, walking through a small contingent of watchful women in the process.  They entered the room, and when the door closed, Elizabeth let out the breath she had been holding.

Audrey laughed.  “I am sorry for walking over you, but I was afraid that you were going to give Madame your list in front of everybody.  It is one thing for your modiste to know you do not have a thing to wear, but it would not do for those gossips out there to know.”

“Well they certainly know that I am being courted by Mr. Darcy, now.”  Elizabeth smiled.  “Oh, and thank you for the ringing endorsement of the family.  I wonder if they agree with you.”

She shrugged.  “They will in public.” Turning to Madame Dupree she took the list from Elizabeth’s hand.  “My mother wants all of these items made for Miss Bennet within the next fortnight.  She also wants a seamstress at Matlock House Saturday afternoon to adjust any gowns that Miss Bennet will borrow until this order is prepared.”

“Yes, of course.”  Madame looked over the list and nodded.  “Well then ladies, I will bring out the pattern books and we may begin.  Would you like some tea?”

Audrey settled onto a sofa and nodded.  “Yes, it will be a long afternoon.”  She smiled at Elizabeth and patted the seat.  “It will be far worse when you marry him.”

She settled beside her.  “I can hardly believe that might happen someday.” 

“Believe it.  I have never seen him so happy.”  Audrey smiled and took her hands.  “You are living the dream that we all had when we were little girls, to marry with love.”

“Forgive me but, you do not love your husband?”  Elizabeth whispered.

“Love is a luxury, marriage is a necessity.  Mr. Singleton and I are friends.  Perhaps that will grow in time to more.  It did for my parents, so I hope for the same someday.”  She smiled a little.  “Surely you know how rare it is to be loved and actually able to act upon that desire?  I loved a young man very much, but of course I knew that I was not permitted to consider him so I kept my feelings hidden.”

“Why was he unsuitable?”

“He was a second son.”  Audrey said softly.  “Just like Richard.  He has become a barrister, but that was not good enough.  I did as I was told.”

“My sister has been approached by a man.”

“Mr. Harwick, yes I heard.  That is an excellent match for her.  She could not have found a better place.  He is a very kind man, do not worry for her.  He will not lose himself in his club or disappear with his mistress.  He cares about his estate, and his daughters.”  Audrey smiled tightly then seeing Elizabeth’s brow crease relaxed again.  “What is wrong?  Do not worry for her.  She will be well; they may even love each other someday when she gives him a child.

“Yes, that occurred to me, too.”  Elizabeth would have liked to explore the subject of clubs and mistresses, but thought that would be far too intimate of a conversation for this fledgling friendship.  Madame Dupree reappeared with pattern books and assistants bearing bolts of fabric.  By the time that Elizabeth’s new wardrobe was ordered, three hours had passed.  There were new women in the shop, so they were able to exit without notice.  When Audrey waved goodbye to her on the steps of the Gardiner home, Elizabeth’s thoughts returned to her sister.

MR. GARDINER LOOKED UP from his book to see Darcy staring across the carriage at Elizabeth, and she in turn staring out the window.  He cleared his throat and she looked at him then back to the scenery.  “Have you spoken with Jane, Lizzy?”

“Yes.”

“What did she think of her visit with Mr. Harwick?”

“She finds him pleasant and kind.  She enjoyed dancing with him at the ball, and had no idea that she had impressed him so much then.”  Elizabeth finally turned to meet her uncle’s gaze.  “She feels confident that they will get along.”

“You sound doubtful.”

“I seem to be feeling more emotion than she.”  She looked down to her gloved hands.  “She says that at least she will have two little girls to love, and since they have no memory of their mother, they will hopefully readily accept her.  Mr. Harwick was glowing in his descriptions of the children and that reassured her of his kind heart.”

Darcy spoke softly.  “Layton did assure us of his excellent reputation, Miss Elizabeth.  I am sorry that I cannot add my direct knowledge of him, but I have never heard anything that would cause alarm.  I joined society just as he left it.  Richard knew a little more than I, and he seems convinced of his sincerity.”

“It is a fate that all of my sisters face, sir.  I am increasingly cognizant of how fortunate I am, and how foolish were my girlish dreams.”

“I hope that you have not given them up.” 

Elizabeth looked back up to see his concern, and his clear desire to reach across the coach to her.  “No, Mr. Darcy, I intend to live them out daily.”  His mouth lifted in a small smile and he nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on hers.  “I find it odd now, all this fuss over our sudden engagement when Jane and Mr. Harwick know even less of each other.  But it seems that an immediate engagement and marriage for them is unremarkable.  What is the difference, I wonder?  Is it because we dare to care for each other and theirs is a business transaction?”

“That is a very valid question Miss Elizabeth.  I think that the difference is that this is our first marriage, I am young and noted to be very eligible, and the disparity in our situations also comes into play.  Although Mr. Harwick and I are similar in that we do not particularly care to participate in the activities of the
ton
, he has already been down the road of courtship, marriage, and children. Miss Bennet is . . .”

“Simply a new member of his staff.”  She closed her eyes and clasped her hands tightly.  “Forgive me; that was entirely uncalled for.  Mr. Harwick is no ogre.  He is offering Jane a sound future.”

Darcy’s brow furrowed as he tried to understand the root of Elizabeth’s unmistakable discomfort.  “I was going to say that she would not undergo the scrutiny that a first wife would.  However, keep in mind that Mr. Harwick’s eligibility was noted, and many women had marked him as a potential husband.  His reappearance in town is very recent.  Have no doubt that your sister will be envied by those who missed this opportunity to charm him.  Mr. Harwick is a veteran of the marriage mart, and knew that he had no desire to wed one of those women.  That is what caught his attention when he looked at her.  First he saw beauty, then he saw possibility.”

“And I nearly ruined everything by lashing out at him,” Elizabeth sighed and looked at her uncle, “as you told me in no uncertain terms.  I conveniently forgot that marriage for duty is the normal course of events, not the exception.”  Darcy looked between niece and uncle and realized that he had taken her to task for her outburst at Matlock House. 

“Lizzy, I think that you are taking this much too hard.  We have discussed your behaviour with Mr. Harwick, and he was kind enough to listen to my explanation that you were thinking of the marriage you grew up witnessing at Longbourn.  He was actually grateful for the information, realizing that it undoubtedly would affect his relationship with Jane, although admittedly it will probably manifest itself differently with her.  I am just grateful that none of the residents of that house witnessed your outburst and prejudiced them further against you.”  He noticed her embarrassment.  “Enough, we have been through this already.  Please remember that this is a very advantageous offer for Jane, and I believe that she recognizes it.”  Mr. Gardiner closed his book and glanced at Darcy. 

Elizabeth smiled ruefully and blinked back the tears that had begun to fall.  “I know that Uncle.  You will forgive my pensiveness today.  I am afraid that I am allowing my thoughts of Jane to occupy me rather than dwell on more personal concerns.”

“What may I do to convince you of my dedication, Miss Elizabeth?”  Darcy sat forward and touched her hand.  She shook her head and turned to the window.  Darcy looked at her helplessly then at Mr. Gardiner.

He glanced out of the window.  “We are here, this is Meryton.”

Elizabeth sat up and found Darcy’s handkerchief being held out for her.  She took it and wiped her eyes, and handed it back.  In the process they entwined their fingers for a few moments before resuming their places.  She took a deep breath and looked around.  “We are drawing attention with this magnificent coach.”

“I am certain that my sister will be gossiping about it in moments, especially if she spots us in the windows.”  Mr. Gardiner smiled.  “Ah look, there she is.”  He lifted a hand and Mrs. Philips’ jaw dropped.  He chuckled and looked at Elizabeth who had turned to Darcy.  “That is my aunt Philips.  She married the man who was clerk to my grandfather, who was a solicitor.  Uncle Philips took over the business.” 

“You did not wish to pursue your father’s trade, sir?” 

“No, I am afraid that the law never really caught my fancy.”   He smiled and looked around the town.  “I had dreams of London, so became apprenticed to an importer friend of my father’s there, and built my business after leaving his.”

“I suppose that I would have followed the path that Stewart has if that was my destiny.”  Darcy mused.  “I have an uncle who is a judge.”

“I cannot see you in a wig, sir.”  Elizabeth teased.

He smiled to see her spirit appear.  “No, that fashion has happily gone by the wayside for the rest of society, although I suppose it has its merits for the winter months.”  They looked at each other and took deep breaths, and Elizabeth turned back to the window. 

“There it is.”  She said softly.

Into a gate the coach rumbled and they slowed to a stop by the entrance.  The footman jumped down and opened the door.  Mr. Gardiner descended first, followed by Darcy who held out his hand for Elizabeth.  “I love you, nothing will change that.”  He said as she clutched his hand and moved past him.  She looked up and he smiled.  The front door flew open and there he received his first brush with Elizabeth’s fear.

“OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CARRIAGE!”  Darcy recoiled instantly and he felt Elizabeth stiffen by his side.  He recovered, and taking her hand placed it firmly on his arm.  “We were wondering when you would arrive.  Mr. Bennet only told us this morning that we were to have company.   I thought that you would have told us sooner, Brother!”  Mrs. Bennet received his kiss on the cheek and turned to see Elizabeth with her hand on Darcy’s arm.  She beamed up at him.  “And who is this?”  Darcy’s brow creased, realizing that she was not going to greet her daughter.  Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat.

“Mr. Darcy, this is my sister, Francine Bennet.  Sister, I am sure that you are aware, Mr. Darcy is courting Lizzy.”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Darcy.  You could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard that news!  Now, come in and meet the rest of the family.  I am sure that my husband will be along soon.  He has disappeared this morning, so vexing, he is always here in that bookroom of his, but for some reason he took it in his head to go out today.”  She led the way indoors without pausing for breath.  “You must tell me all about yourself, sir.  Mr. Bennet has kept all of the news to himself.”  She entered the drawing room.  “Girls, girls, come greet your uncle and our guest.  Mary!  Put that book away at once!”  She turned and waved.  “Mr. Darcy, these are my daughters, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.”